Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Please Help! Female Issues

Mnicole1981

Recommended Posts

Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted

I may be gluten intolerant for sure, but these flare-ups hit me every month when I am about to start my period. I am starting to think that there is something totally different going on. I just don't know what to do anymore. My OB/Gyn told me yesterday that my fibroids aren't giving me my GI problems. Something is and I wish they would figure it out.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?

dani nero Community Regular
dani nero
Posted

There are many gluten-intolerant people with period-related problems. I'm one of them.. I didn't get them at all before I went gluten free. I know that symptoms vary dramatically from person to person. Are you experiencing any other symptoms, and have you tried going gluten-free? If you're giving it a thought I would suggest considering if you want an official diagnosis first. You should do all required testing while you're still on gluten.

saintmaybe Collaborator
saintmaybe
Posted

It's fairly normal for women to experience GI issues during their periods, regardless if gluten sensitivity status. This is because the drop in progesterone which triggers menses, causes a corresponding rise in prostaglandins. This hormone signals the uterus to contract and expel blood, but higher concentrations of prostaglandins can cause local contraction of the smOoth muscle of the digestive tract. This results on gas, bloating, and diarrhea. One way to counteract proataglandins is by taking aspirin or ibuprofen, which have the effect of lowering prostaglandin concentrations. Not saying you don't have gluten issues, just that they're not necessary related to your menstrual issues.

Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted
  • Author

What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?

Heartburn and frequent restroom trips today.

When this all started, my symptoms were upper abdominal burning/heartburn, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, gurgling noises in abdomen, anxiety, irritation, insomnia, fatigue, hiccups, dark stools, loose stools, constipation, weight loss.

I lost 7 lbs because I couldn't eat because I was afraid of the heartburn. I have been gluten free for two weeks tomorrow. My blood test and biopsies came back negative. I have had some good and bad days, today being one of the worst. I don't know if it is CC or related to my period.

Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted
  • Author

It's fairly normal for women to experience GI issues during their periods, regardless if gluten sensitivity status. This is because the drop in progesterone which triggers menses, causes a corresponding rise in prostaglandins. This hormone signals the uterus to contract and expel blood, but higher concentrations of prostaglandins can cause local contraction of the smOoth muscle of the digestive tract. This results on gas, bloating, and diarrhea. One way to counteract proataglandins is by taking aspirin or ibuprofen, which have the effect of lowering prostaglandin concentrations. Not saying you don't have gluten issues, just that they're not necessary related to your menstrual issues.

Thanks for the info! It's just strange because I had no problems with GERD since 2008. I experienced the diarrhea and bloating, but the reflux started in February. That was pretty much it. Didn't need to take anything. I guess it's part of aging.

birdie22 Enthusiast
birdie22
Posted

I can relate. When I first started noticing symptoms they mostly came 5-7 days prior to ovulation and again 5-7 days prior to my period. For gosh, almost a year it seemed to stick to that pattern. Then it all became much more frequent, for days in a row and almost weekly. After being gluten-free the symptoms started to improve but say 3mos in I was still getting flair ups around my cycle. My doc said that perhaps 90% of my issues could be explained by gluten and the remaining 10% by hormones. That has helped me to relax a bit. I was so focused on the symptoms and worrying that gluten-free diet wasn't the "cure" I was looking for. I've been gluten-free for 6 mos now. I'm not 100% asymptomatic but things are much improved.

My advice to you would be to continue to track your symptoms and see if you continue to see the pattern. And if you are committed to staying gluten-free, keep at it for a few more months and see if you notice improvement.

And for you or anyone else reading about gluten and your cycle, I will say that my PMS is WAY improved being gluten-free. No cramps. No breast tenderness. No aches/pains down there. It's amazing. Last month when I did a gluten challenge it was mid-cycle. When my period came 2 wks later, OMG it was horrible. Bad cramps, breasts so sore it was like I was pregnant. Now this month things are back to my new normal. Who knew gluten could impact my cycle so much!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted
  • Author

Thank you Birdie. I guess I should be patient. It just makes me feel like the doctors are missing something. I still don't have any diagnosis as to what is wrong with me. Right now, I am waiting on the results of a stool sample. Never have I thought, "please let it be a parasite!" Just so they can resolve my issues.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Mari
      - Mari replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      Related issues

      jmartes, Thank you for sharing more information with us. Most of us Celiacs whose problems do not clear up with in a few years have to decide what to do next. We can keep seeing DR.s and hope that we will get some medication or advice that will improve our health. Or we can go looking for other ways to improve our health. Usually Celiac Disease is...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to catsrlife's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      It's unfortunate that they won't work with you on this, but in the end sometimes we have to take charge of our own health--which is exactly what happened to me. I did finally get the tests done, but only after years of going down various rabbit holes and suffering. Just quitting gluten may be the best path for you at this point.
    3. catsrlife
      - catsrlife replied to catsrlife's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      My doctor didn't take the time to listen to anything. I don't even think she knows what it means. She is more concerned about my blood pressure that is caused by her presence than anything else and just wants to push pills at me. The so-called dermatologist wouldn't do a skin test. she prescribed all of these silly antihistamine skin meds. This lady...
    4. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      Related issues

      I had the test done by one of the specialist through second pcp I had only a few months because he was saying I wasn't.Even though Im positive HLA-DQ2 .My celiac is down played.I am with new pcp, seeing another girl doctor who wants to do another breathe test next month though Im positive sibo this year.I have high blood pressure not sure if its pain from...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cup Swirl Brownies

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,260
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    sbr
    Newest Member
    sbr
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mari
      Related issues

      By Mari · Posted

      jmartes, Thank you for sharing  more information with us. Most of us Celiacs whose problems do not clear up with in a few years have to decide what to do next. We can keep seeing DR.s and hope that we will get some  medication or advice that will improve our health. Or we can go looking for other ways to improve our health. Usually Celiac Disease is not a killer disease, it is a disabling disease as  you have found out. You have time to find some ways to help you recover. Stay on your gluten-free diet and be more careful in avoiding cross contamination . KnittyKitty  and others here can give you advice about avoiding some foods that can give you the gluten auto immune reaction and advice about vitamins and supplement that help celiacs. You may need to take higher doses of Vit. B12  and D3.  About 20 years before a Dr. suggested I might have Celiac disease I had health problems that all other Dr said they could not identify or treat. I was very opposed to alternative providers and treatments. So many people were getting help from a local healer I decided to try that out. It was a little helpful but then, because I had a good education in medical laboraties she gave me a book  to read and what did I think. With great skeptism I started reading and before I was half way through it I began using the methods outlined in the book. Using those herbs and supplements I went from hardly able to work to being able to work almost fulltime. I still use that program. But because I had undiagnosed celiac disease by 10 years later some  of my problems returned and I started to loose weight.    So how does a person find a program that will benefit them? Among the programs you can find online there are many that are snake oil scams and some that will be beneficial. by asking around, as I did. Is there an ND in your area? Do they reccomend that person? If you would like to read about the program I use go to www.drclark.net   
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's unfortunate that they won't work with you on this, but in the end sometimes we have to take charge of our own health--which is exactly what happened to me. I did finally get the tests done, but only after years of going down various rabbit holes and suffering. Just quitting gluten may be the best path for you at this point.
    • catsrlife
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By catsrlife · Posted

      My doctor didn't take the time to listen to anything. I don't even think she knows what it means. She is more concerned about my blood pressure that is caused by her presence than anything else and just wants to push pills at me. The so-called dermatologist wouldn't do a skin test. she prescribed all of these silly antihistamine skin meds. This lady didn't even know what she was talking about and said "they never turn out as celiac, they usually just say it's dermatitis so here's your meds," just like my regular quack. I'm trying to change insurance companies at the moment and that has been a battle because of red tape, wrong turns, and workers having wrong phone numbers. What a joke! The allergy blood days say I have a wheat allergy of .31. Hopefully it's just that and until I find a decent doctor and dermatologist, I'll just lay off the wheat anyway, since it gives me asthma, high blood sugar, and joint pain. So frustrated at this point. The rash on my back of arms/elbows is mostly gone. Both calves and chest have started up. smh. It comes and goes. It fades faster now, though, although my forearms still produce one or two bumps on each side. The itching has calmed down a lot except for the bump area. I have dry skin to begin with so anything affecting it just makes it crazy. i'm never going to eat wheat again. I don't care if they need it to produce results or if it is just an intolerance, allergy, or celiac. It gives me hell.
    • Jmartes71
      Related issues

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I had the test done by one of the specialist through second pcp I had only a few months because he was saying I wasn't.Even though Im positive HLA-DQ2 .My celiac is down played.I am with new pcp, seeing another girl doctor who wants to do another breathe test next month though Im positive sibo this year.I have high blood pressure not sure if its pain from sciatica or sibo, ibs or hidden gluten. Im in disability limbo and I should have never been a bus driver because im still suffering and trying to heal with zero income except for my husband. This isnt fare that my health is dictating my living and having ti beg for being revalidation of my disregarded celiac disease. Its an emotional roller coaster I don't want to be on and the medical made it worse.New pcp new gi, exhausted, tired and really fed up. GI doctor NOT girl..
    • Mari
      Related issues

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Jmartes, It sure is difficult to get useful advice from medical providers. Almost 20 years  ago a Dr suggested that I might have Celiacs and I took a Celiac Panel blood test. No gluten challenge diet. On that test the tTG was in normal range but an alpha antibody was very high. I went online and read about celiac disease and saw how I could investigate this low tTG and still have celiac disease. Normal tTG can happen when a person had been reacting for many years. Another way is that the person has not been eating enough gluten to raise the antibody level. Another reason is that the tTG does not show up on a blood but may show up on a fecal test. Almost all Celiacs inherit at least one of the 2 main Celiac genes. I had genetic tests for the Celiac genes at Enterolab.com. I inherited one main Celiac gene from one parent and the report said that the DQ gene I inherited from my other parent, DQ6, could cause a person to have more problems or symptoms with that combination. One of my grandmother's had fairly typical symptoms of Celiacs but the other grandmother had severe food intolerances. I seem to show some problems inherited from both grandmothers. Human physiology is very complex and researchers are just beginning to understand how different body systems interact.  If you have taken an autosomal DNA test you can download your raw data file and upload it to Prometheuw.com for a small fee and search for Celiac Disease. If you don't find any Cekiac genes or information about Celiac disease  you may not have autoimmune gluten intolerance because more than 99% of Celiacs have one or both of these genes.  PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW EHAT i HAVE DONE TO HELP WITH SYMPTOMS.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.